Ice block forming and dispensing device



Sept. 30, 1941.

R. A. BAYNE ICE BLOCK FORMING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 3l, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet l Lul'.

.N :l y INVENTOR. \O l tc'la P07, H. ayn l N N BY I ih 9 \J ATToRNEYxs Sept. 30, 1941. R. A. BAYNE 2,257,149

ICE BLOCK FORMING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 31, y1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 U INVENTOR. jencrar'/.Hayne 9L ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 30, 1941 FFICE ICE BLOCK FORMING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Richard A. Bayne, Detroit, Mich.

Application May 31, 1939, Serial No. 276,530

(Cl. {i2-168.5)

11 Claims.

This invention relates to an ice block forming and dispensing device and is an improvement on the ice block forming and dispensing device described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 185,271, filed January 17, 1938.

In the ice block forming and dispensing device shown in my copending application the divider plates were returned manually to their ice forming position.

The principal object of the instant invention is to improve upon my earlier device by arranging the divider plates so that after the ice blocks have been dispensed, the divider plates can be mechanically and automatically returned to their ice block forming position. This object has been achieved by a simple mechanical arrangement which is inexpensive to produce and which operates not only with great facility but also with certainty to automatically return and properly space the divider plates in their proper ice block forming position.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the ice block forming and dispensing device.

Fig. 2 is a section along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective showing the divider plates and the means for returning the same to ice block forming position.

Figs. 4, and 6 are detail sectional views showing the means for dislodging the divider plates from the ice block preparatory to dispensing the block.

Fig. '7 is a section along the line 7 1 of Fig. 5.

Referring more particularly to the drawings there is shown a tray I which, by way of example, may be in the form of a sheet metal stamping having troughs 2 and 3 extending lengthwise thereof. The troughs 2 and 3 are each provided with a plurality of shiftable divider plates 4a, lib, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, for separating each trough into a plurality of adjacent spaces wherein the ice blocks are formed when water is supplied to the troughs and subjected to freezing temperatures. Each of the troughs and the divider plate mechanisms are identical so a description of the one will also describe the other.

A screw 5 is positioned centrally of the trough 3 adjacent the top of the tray and extends lengthwise of the trough. The inner end of the screw 5 is journalled in the closed end 'I of the tray as at 6 and the outer end of the screw is journalled as at 8 in transverse wall 9 of bracket I!) which is fixed to the dispensing end of the tray. The dispensing end of the tray is provided with a removable closure II having on its inner or sealing face a soft rubber sealing gasket I2. Since the forward or dispensing end of the tray has no end wall, a suitable reinforcement plate 32 is positioned across the top `and secured adjacent the forward end of the side walls of the tray. The screw 5 is provided with a square end I3 adapted to receive a removable crank I4 for turning the screw. As shown in the upper portion vof Fig. 1 the divider plates are in ice block forming position Whereas in the lower half of Fig. 1 the divider plates are shown in the position they assume after the ice blocks have been dispensed.

For1 breaking the ice blocks from the side and bottom walls of each trough there is provided an ejector plate I5 which has a threaded or screw t upon the screw 5. Reinforcing plates I6 and 46 are xed to the upper end of each divider plate ii. Ihe divider plates 4 are preferably made of thin flexible sheet metal. The divider plates are each provided with an opening I'I through which the screw passes. The reinforcement plates are each provided with a threaded opening I8 which are threaded on, and have a screw t with, the screw 5.

Each plate 4B is provided with a pair of forwardly extending spring fingers I9, each of which terminates in a hook 20. The outer ends of the iingers I9 are also turned inwardly as at 2 I. The portion 2|, as shown in Fig. 1, keeps the fingers I9 spaced so that they will not stick t0- gether. Such sticking, for example, would occur if the springngers I9 were moist and placed together in face to face contact in the sharp freezing chamber of a refrigerator. The spacers 2| are of suicient width so that the sticking or freezing together of the ngers is prevented, particularly when the dispensing device is in the sharp freezing or ice block forming compartment of the refrigerator. Working from the left, Fig. 1, each succeeding pair of fingers I9 is spaced further apart than the preceding pair so that the pairs of ngers can nest one within the other when the blocks have all been dispensed. The upper edge of each divider plate is provided with a notched shoulder 22 which int-erengages with the hook 2G as described below.

The bottom wall 23 of the tray adjacent its dispensing or outlet end is provided with an inclined planular portion 24 which is stamped therein. This incline 24 cooperates with each Vdivider plate i to flex the sameV and thereby disengage the divider plate from the ice block.

The divider plates (Fig. l, upper half) are properly spaced and divide the trough 3 into clearance with the trough along the side and v bottom walls thereof, these ears 26 serve to pre- 1 vent each plate 4 from tending to` turn with Athe screw 5. Further, since each divider plate.4..

is made from thin `and very ilexible sheet metal Y which would tend to ex if the fullto'rque of the screw were applied to it, thereforethe ears 26 of the reinforcement in cooperation with theA guide flanges 2'I prevent the transmission of this torgue to thedivider plate 4.

The operationl of thefdevice 'is as follews: shownwinrthe upperhalf of Fig. 1 thefdivider plateswand ejector plate I5 are in ice block forming position wherein they divide the trough 3 into a plurality Vv.of-:spaces of equal size. After,Y the troughhas ybeen partially filled with water (and thelattenffrozen, such as by placing the tray thus filled; inthe s halpffreezingcharnber of a refrigf crater-,the crank III is applied to the screw and turriechy Bearingin mind that each ofthe-divider-:..plate's-.are vno w separated and frozen to a block of ice 26, as the screw turns, the ejector plate I5, aswell as allof the ice blocks 28 and divider plates 4, move to the right. The first l result of this Inovernent is to break the ice blocks l 26 freef'r'om vthe side wallsand bottom of .the trough. The closure plate and gasket I2, of course, also travel to -the right on the screw and ijnally; ride off the .threaded portion of the screw 5 onto,the Vsmooth-or unthreaded Aportion y29. prior to leaving the,A threaded portion of the screw theclosureplate I I spreadsand then snaps behind they-inwardly projecting v.carri detents '50 on the spring detent vfingers 3l which yieldably ret ain..the, closure plate II on the unthreaded portion-26er the screw. i .i "I action of 'thefincline Zlis-.Hillustratedhin Figs., L.izthtoolgh 7. .Asjshowh in Figa the tee blocks 28; divider.'v plate 4 are about-to ride up the incline 24.* `rAs .shownin Fig. ymthe block 28 andfplate '4.haveridden up the inclineZI, the resuit-.being that, since the plate 4a cannot move upwardly dueto thefact that the screw 5 will not permitthe saine, the plate 4a eXes outwardly and forwardly, Aor to the right. The iceblock 28 pevents thelplate from flexing rearwardly. As the plate !t;1"le `es` forwardly it is broken away or disconnected frorn .the block 28. Asthe ice blockla ridesup the incline 24 it is also thrown loosefromldivider platefb.` Divider plate 4b is still frozen to ice block 28a. Furtherturnng of thescrew 5 causes block 28, Fig. 6, which is now disconnected .from its forward divider plate 4a anditsiearward ndivided plate 4b, toV move forwardly onto .the right .until it passes oi'of the Outer end ofthe incline 24a-nd falls downwardly throughthe opening formedby bracket 9 and the bottom; 23V ofthe tray into a suitable receptacle provided therefor. This action isvrepeated each tiirie, and` asl'ongf'as the'screw is turned. As each plate rides 'oir (of the threaded portiohpf the scretvtheears 25 snap bythe detent nge'rs 36 -wherethey lare veldably retained.,

Whenhuthe tee moeke have teeny discharged the position of the divider plates and ejector 'ateneo plate I5 are shown in the bottom half of Fig. 1. It should be noted that all the divider plates 4a, h, 4c, 4d, 4e, llf, excepting the rearmost divider .plate 4g and ejector I5, ride on to the smooth or Vunthreaded end 29 of the screw. The smooth {excepting fig. QHence, when .all the. ice blocks have been discharged the plates are all stacked face to face atthe right hand end of/,the screw with the plate 4g still on the threaded portion of the' screw', Since plate 4g cannot move fur- 2ther to the right, further rotation of the screw in ice block dispensing direction is impossible. Since 'the' screw cannot be further rotated the ejector plate If5`will be spaced from plate 4g the same dista-nce a't the end of the ice block dispensing as at the beginning of the dispensing.

I The `mechanical return ofthedivider plates. to their :ice block forrnirigpositionis accomplished as nfol'lovvs vhecrarik, yIII .is turned in* the ppositey direction frein that abovnflehtoried So that the screwY as it .rtlitatesl4 causes ythe-ejector plate I5 and divider y'plate .ll'gftoniove to the left, est-textes ih the. lower half. or Fis. 1, After the plate.l 4g has inoved. to the. lef-t a. distancev approx-if mately equal to the length of the pick-JJLpl nger's ,I 9,. the hooks 2i) .on-thepick-.up fingers on plate 4f engage shouldersv 22.onplate 4g which causes platefilf to move. to the left Yoff .of vsriiooth portion 2t on to the threaded portiohlofthe-sorew.which thereupon. causes plate to continue its travel tothe left 71h properly spaced relation, with plate 4g. After ,.piate. nj. heen.Y drive'htothe Vleft a distance appreichlette-1y'` equal to` thepickj-,up fingers i9 for the next plateqathen zthese lingers I9 engage the Vshoiildf-is 22 pnplate 4f and cause plate 4c to ride from. th smoothvpart V,29, 'into screw engagement with the threaded portionof the screw which thereupon As'cre'vffsthe plate4e leftward. This method ofy eachA plate picking up the following lplate and dravvi 'g' it ironie. the smooth part .28 4(of thehs "ew if O thre'aded engagement-,with thethreadjed portion ofthe screw continues'throughout'the rotat n ,of Athe screw 5 until `the, `plate lull andgas Y Ilz Aare'vl nnally Y n tra (1 l intdlsealing relation .with Lepdf. .the trough. hreupbh the.' .device is again ready 4'tombeA .flljrl` A,with water and 'subi jec'ted to ice forming' temperatures. j From the alcoveI4 it is evidentthatthere isrliere piroidud a d'eVC.-W1iCll A.epia'li.les an f isfellok forminghia'y .into a. plurality rieblek foireihgxspaes, automatically 'dispejises thei'ce blocks one by one, and automa, really Areturns, y he `ice block ,space forming 'mechanism' to its. original or forinirlgposition.

V 1. Av deviceV formforinin and dispensingioe blocks comprisingA acontain r, h'av' ing an outlet and adapted te vreceive et Iiqoieto perro/zen.. one or moredivider plates for dividing the interior' :of

the' container intodaplurality'ofspacesin w individu-al ice blocks rriiay be forme ejecting means adapieflto. ,10.05.611 .thai .blolisaridmdve the .ice blOCkS and. dviderplees Within' .the @9H-V miner' toward and through Said Quilt@ t0: dispense the .ice blocks... arid .pikfllemeails .for pifk'ig unibe divider Plates 0.1116. after the Other in 'prt determined. 'spaced relation for returningthe iii-A vider plates totheir original ice blockforrniiig positions? Withrifthewnaeefr.- 1 .2-i e..d'erice .for .fvrminaeiifd di'sensing'i blocks comprising' ya container having an outlet and adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen,'one or more divider plates for dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of spaces in which individual ice blocks may be formed, ejector means including a driving member operatable in one direction to loosen the ice blocks and move the ice blocks and divider plates within the container toward and through said outlet to dispense the ice blocks, and mechanism cooperating with said drivingl member when operated in the opposite direction for returning the divider plates to and automatically spacing the divider plates in their original ice block forming positions within the container.

3. A device for forming and dispensing ice blocks comprising a container having an outlet and adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen, one

or more divider plates for dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of spaces in which individual ice blocks may be formed, an ejector plate, a driving member operatable in one direction to shift the ejector plate and divider plates and ice blocks within the container toward said outlet to dispense the ice blocks, a connection between one of said plates and the driving member continuously in driving relation with said driving member, and pick-up means between the said last mentioned plate member and the other plate members whereby when the driving member is operated in the opposite direction the said plates are returned to and automatically spaced in their original ice blockvforming positions within the container.

4. A device for forming and dispensing ice blocks comprising a container having an outlet and adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen, a plurality of divider plates for dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of spaces in which individual ice blocks may be formed, an ejector, a driving member operatable in one direction to drive said plates and ejector to loosen the ice blocks and move the ejector, ice blocks and divider plates within the container toward and through said outlet to dispense the ice blocks, said driving member being operatable in the opposite direction to return the ejector and divider plates to their original ice block forming positions within the container, a driving connection between said driving member and one of said divider plates continuously in driving relation therewith, driving connections between the other divider plates and said driving member which are broken in the operation of the driving member to dispense the ice blocks whereby the said plates are placed out of driving relation with the driving member, and pick-up means continuously interconnecting the said plates whereby when the driving member is reversed to return the first mentioned plate, which is continuously in driving relation with said driving member, to ice block forming position the remaining plates are automatically returned into driving relation with the driving member and returned to their respective ice block forming positions.

5. A device for forming and dispensing ice blocks comprising a container having an outlet and adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen, a plurality of divider plates for dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of spaces in which individual ice blocks may be formed, a driving member operatable in ice block dispensing direction and cooperating with said plates to loosen the ice blocks and move the ice blocks and divider plates within the container toward and through said outlet to dispense the ice blocks, a driving vconnection between said driving member and one of said divider plates continuously in driving relation therewith, driving connections between the other divider plates and the driving member which are broken in the operation of the driving member to dispense the ice blocks one after the other, and pick-up means continuously interconnecting the said plates whereby when the driving member is operated in reverse or non-ice block dispensing direction to return the rst mentioned plate to ice block forming position the pick-up means operates to pick up the remaining plates one after the other and return them into driving relation with the driving member which returns them to their respective ice block forming positions.

6. A device for forming and dispensing ice` blocks comprising a container having an outlet and adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen, a plurality of divider plates for dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of spaces in which individual ice blocks may be formed, each of said divider plates having an opening adjacent the top thereof, a driving member passing through said openings operatable in one direction and cooperating with said plates to loosen the ice blocks and move the ice blocks and divider plates within the container toward and through said outlet to dispense the ice blocks and operatable in the opposite direction to return the divider plates to their original ice block forming positions Within the container, a driving connection between said driving member and one of said divider plates continuously in driving relation therewith, driving connections between the other divider plates and said driving member which are broken in the operation of the driving member to dispense the ice blocks whereby the said plates are placed out of driving relation with the driving member, and pickup means continuously interconnecting the said plates whereby when the driving member is reversed to return the rst mentioned plate to ice block forming position the remaining plates are returned into driving relation with the driving member and returned to their respective ice block forming positions.

7. A device for forming and dispensing ice blocks comprising a container having an outlet and adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen, a plurality of divider plates for dividing the interior of the container into a plurality of spaces in which individual ice blocks may be formed, a screw extending lengthwise of the container having an unthreaded portion beyond the outlet end of the container, driving connections between the said screw and plates which are broken in the dispensing of the ice blocks when the connections ride 01T the threaded portion of the screw on to the unthreaded portion, the driving connection of one of said plates remaining continuously in driving relation with the screw, the said screw being rotatable in one direction and cooperating with said plates to loosen the ice blocks and move the ice blocks and divider plates through said outlet to dispense the ice blocks one by one, and pick-up means connecting the last mentioned plate with the other divider plates for returning the divider plates into driving relation with the screw and spacing the divider plates in their original ice block forming positions: in the container when the screw is rotated in reverse direction.

8. A device for forming and dispensing ice hloeksfc'oniprising avcontainer Vhaving an outlet andjadapted to receiveV a? liquid to be frozen,r a plurality-'of divider plates for dividing'the interio'r ofthe container into a plurality of spaces in whichindividualice"blocks'may be formed, a screw -extendingv lengtlfn'vviseofl the container havinganunthreadedportion beyond theoutlet end of "the container;VV dri-ving connections between the rvsaid screw and platesy which are broken in thel dispensing of the-ice blocks when theV connec'tions `ride o the threaded portion of the screw on to the unthreadedportion, the driving connection of one of said plates remaining-con-Y tinuously in'driving relation with Vthe screw,y the saidv screwfbeing rotatable in one direction and cooperating Awith said plates to loosen the ice blocks and move the ice blocks and divider plates through said outlet to dispense theice blocks one by one,- and pick-up meansv in the fornioflostlrnotionconnections having a `lost intio'n" of predetermined length between the plates whereby whenthe' screw is rotated in reverse' directionl to return the above-mentioned divider plate-the remaining plates are pickedup seriatirnv in predetermined-spaced relation by the lost motion pick-up connection andthe driving connections returned into driving relation with thes'aid'screw. Y

9. A device for forming and dispensing ice blocks 'comprisinga container having an outlet and'adapted to receive a liquid to be frozen, a plurality ofdivider plates for-dividing the interiorof the container intol a plurality of spaces in which vindividual ice blocks Vmay be formed, `a screw "extending lengthwise of the container having 'an Unthreaded portion `beyond the outlet end *of the container, driving connectionsY be'- twee'nthe said screw and plates which are broken'in the vdispensing of the ice blocks when the connections `ride ofiI the threaded portion of the'screw on to thevunthreaded portion, the drivingconnection of one of lsaid plates remaining continuously'in ldriving 'relation with the screw, the's'aid 'sciev/ being-rotatable in one direction to loosen the ice blocks' and move the ice blocks and divider plates through saidv outlet to dispense the ice blocks one by one, and pick-up means in the form of hooked fingers for connecting each plate with the adjacent' plate' with lost motion Wherebyllrevers'e rotation of the screw returns the plates seriatirn and in predetermined spaced relation' into driving relation with the screw.

10.A device for forming and dispensing ice blocks 'comprising a container having an outlet andadapted to receive a liquid' to be frozen, one or more flexible divider plates for dividing the interior'f thec'ontainer into a plurality of spaces in'whicli individual icer blocks may-loe formed, ejecting ineans adaptedto loosen theice blocks and rnve the ice blocksand one or more divider plates within the container toward andthrough said outlet to dispense the ice blocks, and an inclined surface positioned in the path of said one ormore divider'plates for iiexing the same -to loosen the one or more plates fromV the Yadjacent, icehlock's. i" ll.' A `device for forming and dispensing Yice blocksv comprising a container having' an outlet and adaptedr to receive a liquid to be frozen, one or'ino're iiexible divider plates for dividing the interior of the'container into a plurality of space'sin whichindividual ice blocks may be fonned,l ejecting means adapted to loosen the ice blocks andrmove thel ice blocks and one or more divider plates within the container Itoward and through said outlet to dispense the ice blocks, and an inclined'surface positioned adja vceiittlre' outlet for slidably contacting an edge of each of the one or more divider 'plates whereby as the edge of eachV divider plate rides up the inclined surfacel it .exes and breaks loose from thev adjacent iceblock;

- RICHARD A. BLAYNE. 

